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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monda,y, March 21, 2016 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> 7. #15-3784 CITY OF ORONO TEXT AMENDMENT: LIGHTING <br /> Barnhart noted the Planning Commission has reviewed this proposed text amendment on a number of <br /> occasions. The ordinance is intended to address the following: <br /> 1. Prevent light intrusion into adjacent property; <br /> 2. Preserve the dark sky, a characteristic designed by the City of Orono; <br /> 3. Establish lighting standards for properties throughout the cornmunity. <br /> The ordinance as drafted applies to every lot in the City. It establishes the maximum amount of light <br /> permitted within commercial/industrial zones at 100,000 lumens and also establishes standards for <br /> residential lighting. Barnhart indicated he has attempted to describe each of the ordinance sections in <br /> Staff s report and that what is before the Planning Commission tonight is consistent with what has been <br /> discussed in the last two work sessions. <br /> Barnhart noted the ordinance amendment as proposed would be a zoning ordinance change, which means <br /> that any existing fixtures that are made non-conforming by the new ordinance are permitted to continue so <br /> long as they are not abandoned for a period longer than six months. In addition, a draft ordinance <br /> establishing certain lighting as a nuisance is proposed. The standards established as a nuisance are higher <br /> than those proposed as a general perfonnance standard. Enforcement of a nuisance violation would be <br /> through criminal prosecution and would not be grandfathered in. <br /> The two proposed ordinances address tlle two goals of the City, which is to establish minimum standards <br /> for the lighting of property throughout the City and to establish a nuisance level for lighting. <br /> Staff recommends approval of the ordinances as drafted. <br /> The Planning Coinmission had no questions for Staff. <br /> Chair Leskinen opened the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. <br /> There were no public comments regarding this application. <br /> Chair Leskinen closed the public hearing at 7:55 p.m. <br /> Thiesse asked if there is any time frame for residential lighting. <br /> Barnhart stated he does not recall a time frame and that the ordinance limits the number of lumens. <br /> Thiesse commented he does not understand why people's lights need to be on all night long. <br /> Barnhart indicated that goes towards security. Barnhart noted Pa�e 2, Line 81,talks about different levels <br /> of lighting, and that if it is more than a certain level within a residential area, the light needs to be <br /> shielded, a motion detector, or be shut off at a certain time. <br /> Page 14 of 21 <br />